Local Stories

How do tribes engage this White House in meaningful discussions about tribal priorities? We are seeing a number of tests on that, including potential development on tribal or treaty lands that includes border walls, energy development and pipelines. Mark Trahant comments in the wake of a White House listening session.

The House has rejected a bill that would require candidates for local elected office to declare a party affiliation.

Normally, local candidates run without a party ID. And local government officials want to keep it that way.

"Local leaders want to avoid partisanship, and remain bi-partisan," said Rep. Austen Schauer (R-West Fargo). "The committee viewed HB 1375 as picking a fight with the locals, and we decided not to do that."

The North Dakota Senate has passed its version of enabling legislation to implement the voter-approved Constitutional measure on ethics.

The Senate bill establishes a five-member independent ethics commission. It also limits lobbyist gifts, prohibits candidates from spending their campaign money on personal items, and bans foreign money from state elections.

Sen. Jessica Unruh (R-Beulah) told the Senate she was a vocal opponent of the ballot measure. But she said it is now a part of the Constitution.

The North Dakota House has approved a measure to allow trained staffers to carry concealed firearms in schools.

The bill’s sponsor – Rep. Pat Heinert (R-Bismarck) – said the measure is aimed at rural schools that don’t have access to a “school resource officer” – and where response time from law enforcement is an issue.

The North Dakota House has rejected a bill that supporters say would be a way to reduce suicides and gun violence.

It was dubbed the “Red Flag Bill.” Under it, a court could be petitioned to issue a “public safety protection order,” which would remove guns from someone who could commit suicide or do harm to others.

The state Senate has passed a pair of measures dealing with initiated Constitutional measures.

They were prompted by the passing of two measures which amend the state's Constitution that had significant backing from out of state groups.

One measure would allow the Legislature to weigh in on initiated Constitutional measures that were approved by voters. Lawmakers would review the measure following that vote. If lawmakers turn it down, it would be back on the ballot a second time.

The North Dakota House has rejected a bill to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The chairman of the House Human Services Committee, Rep. Robin Weisz (R-Hurdsfield), told the House that when his committee heard the bill, there wasn’t much compelling testimony about this kind of discrimination happening in North Dakota.

"North Dakota is open and inviting," Weisz said. "The state needs workers, and the last thing employers are going to do is not hire someone just because of their sexual orientation."

When migrant children cross the border without their parents, they're sent to federal shelters until caseworkers can find them a good home. But everything changes when they turn 18. That's when, in many cases, they're handcuffed and locked up in an adult detention facility. The practice is sparking lawsuits and outrage from immigrant advocates.

Thursday, February 21, 2019 – When people spend a lot of time in prison or jail, they can have a hard time readjusting to life on the outside. Project F5 founder Adam Martin is trying to make it easier for non violent criminals – like those with drug and alcohol addictions – to find stable housing. In this excerpt from the Prairie Pulse television show, Martin tells John Harris how his own crimes forged his path. ~~~ A Plains Folk essay from Tom Isern titled “Hungry Land.” ~~~ Sue Balcom of the Root Sellers Farm near Mandan joins us for another Main Street Eats conversation. Today she discusses the fruits and vegetables available in winter. ~~~ Doug and Ashley have our What’s Happening calendar of events.